Conservatives Disenfranchised?

[Letalis]

I don't know what will happen. Alot of my friends are gone so it's a little lonely here sometimes.
Just in general there's always changes going on in policy or guidelines (rules) or SOF, or site direction... it's just continual and I think that's played a part & taken a toll on people.
I do like the updated site tho... still miss some stuff from the old site.
I had taken a screen shot right before the update and it was kinda sad when I saw it the other day.

We'll see what these new changes bring - just sitting back waiting.

Really? Could you send that to me?

'lo, lovely

Am sorry you're lonely sometimes I really do think people will start drifting back, though, gradually. Banning Steve was a mistake, because of all the background machinations, and I think that was the final straw for lots of bods. But once the place settles down, maybe they'll let him come back. Once they do that, it'll feel like things can start getting back to normal The thing is, if the forum glorifies God, He'll bless it and it'll grow again. It stopped being about Him for a long, long time, and how can anything flourish when it's not about Him?

As to the look of the place... yah, it seems much much smaller, right? Like, a little claustrophobic somehow? It just seemed roomier before for some reason

ETA: ((((((Molal)))))) God is good. All things work to His glory, ultimately, and this forum is no different

I noticed that as well. The forums are scrunched in the center; I just see two large blue bars on the side of my page. Adrian says he can fix it; I just have to bug him about it.

 

[ladyt28]

I am just so tired of the drama. I have been here just since June 2007. I came here needing good Christian fellowship and found a lot of it. But then the changes started and people ended up spending more time being upset than anything. It finally hit me that when the means I am using becomes more important to me than the reason I went there, something was wrong for me. So I went looking for other sites to go to; other sites without the debates that get out of hand and without threads on other forums created just to gossip about what happens and I found one where Edification is more important than the drama. I get enough drama in the rest of my life to go looking for it when what I really need is Christian fellowship and guidance. All I find here anymore is drama but it has been nice to see the CCC coming back to life - God bless you all my brothers and sisters in Christ!

 

[Molal]

Thank you ladyt28,

I think it will get better! With people like you on this forum, things are looking up!

Again, thanks,

Molal

 

[Nadiine]

I am just so tired of the drama. I have been here just since June 2007. I came here needing good Christian fellowship and found a lot of it. But then the changes started and people ended up spending more time being upset than anything. It finally hit me that when the means I am using becomes more important to me than the reason I went there, something was wrong for me. So I went looking for other sites to go to; other sites without the debates that get out of hand and without threads on other forums created just to gossip about what happens and I found one where Edification is more important than the drama. I get enough drama in the rest of my life to go looking for it when what I really need is Christian fellowship and guidance. All I find here anymore is drama but it has been nice to see the CCC coming back to life - God bless you all my brothers and sisters in Christ!

Hi LadyT =0)

I know everybody likes different things, I like heated debate & am fine with drama.... but not all the drama. (my life is drama-less tho lol & that's good, I'm not complaining!!)

I hope we all stay cooled off and at peace here. It's nice to see it pick up in here a little bit more too.

I've always liked the variety here at CF - I like that I can go from heated debate right into a game area & have some fun & lighten up. =D
I like the update & layouts
(did you guys try to change the layout skin at the bottom of the page? maybe you'de like a different style? I like the one I have) =)

Letalis, I'll resize the page copy I took and post it here for you ok?
I'll try to get it here tomorrow morning sometime.

 

[Nadiine]

I agree Nadiine - I have seen you around alot on CF and I know all the hard work you have put into CF.

I think that everyone who has posted in this thread have a lot invested in CF. I really like being here and posting and spending time with friends. I consider everyone here my friend.

So Nadiine, considering the OP, what are your thoughts?

I'll answer this tomorrow when I have the mental capacity ok? lol

My brain gets fried by 4pm. with all the computer stuff I do plus debate, etc.

 

[Molal]

No problem Nadiine!

 

[ladyt28]

Nadine - a drama-less life? how in the world do you accomplish that? lol!

 

[RedTulipMom]

Some really good posts in this thread. Green Munchkin, Spudgrandma, Polycarp Fan, RadicallyTransformedMom (to name a few). I wonder if anyone came back to read it?

I posted here a bit (I guess just after the hoopla last year where the liberals came in and destroyed the place, forcing a near shut-down), but I guess I'm going to have to post here more so I know what is going on on CF, since they shut down the Discuss Rules/Wiki forum, and said if they want to know how we feel, they will post threads in the congregationals. (Not that I have a problem posting here, but I have never been accepted in any of the congregationals, and that has left it's mark.)

hi Glad you came here and hope you continue to post! I certainly hope everyone here is accepting of you as Christ is! God bless ya!

 

[RedTulipMom]

Letalis,
could you answer me a question please? Is LeeD looking at this thread at all? Will he be involved at all on CF or has he handed everything over to Advisors/Admin? I am just wondering because he seems to have a VISION for the site but yet are his Advisors all on board with that vision? it doesnt seem so. If someone or a group of someones don't take the reigns here the whole site is gonna go down in flames soon I am afraid. Sorry to sound dramatic but seriously, we need some stability here and we need ONE vision and it needs to keep going in ONE direction. There have been WAY too many changes back and forth from conservative to liberal and we've lost so many people because of it. Its so disheartening. Nobody knows what to think anymore. Everyone feels like there isnt much communication going on anymore since Erwin sold the site. Also the tech stuff is taking sooooo long to work out. Its been since the beginning of May and still there is sooo much that isn't fixed or added back yet. I hope you read my earlier post in the thread also. Its nice to be HEARD anyway. i am glad you are coming to our forum to ask US. Thanks.

 

[Nadiine]

Letalis,
could you answer me a question please? Is LeeD looking at this thread at all? Will he be involved at all on CF or has he handed everything over to Advisors/Admin? I am just wondering because he seems to have a VISION for the site but yet are his Advisors all on board with that vision? it doesnt seem so. If someone or a group of someones don't take the reigns here the whole site is gonna go down in flames soon I am afraid. Sorry to sound dramatic but seriously, we need some stability here and we need ONE vision and it needs to keep going in ONE direction. There have been WAY too many changes back and forth from conservative to liberal and we've lost so many people because of it. Its so disheartening. Nobody knows what to think anymore. Everyone feels like there isnt much communication going on anymore since Erwin sold the site. Also the tech stuff is taking sooooo long to work out. Its been since the beginning of May and still there is sooo much that isn't fixed or added back yet. I hope you read my earlier post in the thread also. Its nice to be HEARD anyway. i am glad you are coming to our forum to ask US. Thanks.

Sorry I haven't had time to come back to write out some input, altho I did make several posts earlier in this thread that I think did cover what I thought was causing an exodus. (have to go look again lol)

But your post brings it out here - the push/pull tug of war with site direction. In my view, the site went down when Erwin implimented his new vision of more ecumenism...
Numbers dropped last year.
With the site's direction teetering from liberal to moderate (I haven't much seen it shift too far back towards conservativism like it was) more conservatives have given up and bailed.

Banning DrSteve/RepDaddy caused nearly all the Blessings & Exchange fellowship folks to go to other sites so another large group left with him.... they also didn't like the same fact you mention, the tech. aspect of not bringing back the same elements from the old site that had the fun & games people at a loss for their games.
The pets never came back... avatars were glitchy & hard to figure out when they finally came back.... (the backgrounds are very pixelly & funky)
Still lots of features aren't back. The spirit was basically lost after Steve's ban. I think that finally broke the patience they held for the updates to come along (which never did).

I had said this from day one, pick a direction to take the site AND GO WITH IT. Let the fallout happen either way. Go conservative or go liberal but go there and keep the site true to that choice.
This sitting on the fence stuff only brings the 2 sides to fight, causing mass chaos and anger from both sides. And to outsiders it brings pure confusion as they watch 2 groups of people claim to be Christian, yet agree on virtually NOTHING spiritual and fight like bitter enemies.

It revolves around the SOF (which has changed 3 times in the 2 yrs I've been here - the constant changes of direction are probly the most serious problem. Each time people get more put off & give up.

Alot left due to taking on pagans & other nonChristians as staff to oversee Christians.. (not biblical at all)... the allowing of demonic or nonChristian symbols had people in an uproar....
[Technically, the site labels itself Christian - this is supposedly our "home turf".... compromising & catering to nonChristians shouldn't be the goal. They should be compromising towards us to be here & understanding that we are who we are.

I absolutely wouldn't go to a pagan or atheist forum & expect them to let me on their staff & let me loose everywhere on their site - or proselytize or carry all my Christian symbols with me. I know the turf I'm on.

Additionally, with Lee, there is NO communication with members of this site. We're all left in the dark, so this goes to feeling like there's no one taking the reigns.... like we're just all floating around.

So you bring up the main issues and I agree with your post, I just did a little elaborating on them.
God bless!

 

[RedTulipMom]

Sorry I haven't had time to come back to write out some input, altho I did make several posts earlier in this thread that I think did cover what I thought was causing an exodus. (have to go look again lol)

But your post brings it out here - the push/pull tug of war with site direction. In my view, the site went down when Erwin implimented his new vision of more ecumenism...
Numbers dropped last year.
With the site's direction teetering from liberal to moderate (I haven't much seen it shift too far back towards conservativism like it was) more conservatives have given up and bailed.

Banning DrSteve/RepDaddy caused nearly all the Blessings & Exchange fellowship folks to go to other sites so another large group left with him.... they also didn't like the same fact you mention, the tech. aspect of not bringing back the same elements from the old site that had the fun & games people at a loss for their games.
The pets never came back... avatars were glitchy & hard to figure out when they finally came back.... (the backgrounds are very pixelly & funky)
Still lots of features aren't back. The spirit was basically lost after Steve's ban. I think that finally broke the patience they held for the updates to come along (which never did).

I had said this from day one, pick a direction to take the site AND GO WITH IT. Let the fallout happen either way. Go conservative or go liberal but go there and keep the site true to that choice.
This sitting on the fence stuff only brings the 2 sides to fight, causing mass chaos and anger from both sides. And to outsiders it brings pure confusion as they watch 2 groups of people claim to be Christian, yet agree on virtually NOTHING spiritual and fight like bitter enemies.

It revolves around the SOF (which has changed 3 times in the 2 yrs I've been here - the constant changes of direction are probly the most serious problem. Each time people get more put off & give up.

Alot left due to taking on pagans & other nonChristians as staff to oversee Christians.. (not biblical at all)... the allowing of demonic or nonChristian symbols had people in an uproar....
[Technically, the site labels itself Christian - this is supposedly our "home turf".... compromising & catering to nonChristians shouldn't be the goal. They should be compromising towards us to be here & understanding that we are who we are.

I absolutely wouldn't go to a pagan or atheist forum & expect them to let me on their staff & let me loose everywhere on their site - or proselytize or carry all my Christian symbols with me. I know the turf I'm on.

Additionally, with Lee, there is NO communication with members of this site. We're all left in the dark, so this goes to feeling like there's no one taking the reigns.... like we're just all floating around.

So you bring up the main issues and I agree with your post, I just did a little elaborating on them.
God bless!

Nadine,
you hit EVERY nail on the head!! your elaborating was perfect! you put everything into words i couldnt find! your right on with all the above! i hope the STAFF takes it to heart.

 

[Nadiine]

thanks RTM,

which reminded me, since people don't hear from staff/Lee much, they're leary of resubscribing as SS's without feeling safe as to if the site will even be functioning months or a year or 2 from now.

So I have no doubt this is affecting donations.
(this is aside from many conservatives not donating due to spiritual direction away from traditional Christianity)

 

[Molal]

Good points Nadiine - thank you for sharing.

 

[Molal]

Ok - at the request of a wonderful member I have made my signature <interactive>. Ok, reconciliation team is now clickable, it will take you to the staff members on team recon - if you scroll up or down on that page you can discover the staff locations of all CF staff.

Secondly, there is link to the suggestions/complaint forum.

Would someone mind clicking on them and making sure they work? Please let me know if they work or not.

Thanks!

 

[Molal]

Ok - at the request of a wonderful member I have made my signature <interactive>. Ok, reconciliation team is now clickable, it will take you to the staff members on team recon - if you scroll up or down on that page you can discover the staff locations of all CF staff.

Secondly, there is link to the suggestions/complaint forum.

Would someone mind clicking on them and making sure they work? Please let me know if they work or not.

Thanks!

 

[desmalia]

Ok - at the request of a wonderful member I have made my signature <interactive>. Ok, reconciliation team is now clickable, it will take you to the staff members on team recon - if you scroll up or down on that page you can discover the staff locations of all CF staff.

Secondly, there is link to the suggestions/complaint forum.

Would someone mind clicking on them and making sure they work? Please let me know if they work or not.

Thanks!

Wonderful, thank you!!
Yes, both links work.

 

[Nadiine]

Ok - at the request of a wonderful member I have made my signature <interactive>. Ok, reconciliation team is now clickable, it will take you to the staff members on team recon - if you scroll up or down on that page you can discover the staff locations of all CF staff.

Secondly, there is link to the suggestions/complaint forum.

Would someone mind clicking on them and making sure they work? Please let me know if they work or not.

Thanks!

Just letting you know that I tested your links & they work just fine and go to the right places
=)
thanks much!

 

[Nadiine]

Wonderful, thank you!!
Yes, both links work.

oh dear..... I just saw this...

LOL

(I MIGHT want to read before I repeat posts)




(but I didn't see it when I read Molal's post... wonder
if we posted at the same time??)

 

[Molal]

Thanks guys - you're both awesome!

 

[Angel4Truth]

Hey, Letalis Long time no see

I'm not an active member anymore, but I will say I actually don't feel particularly welcome and being here isn't very fun, or comforting. It's perhaps partly to do with the new design being terribly bewlidering, but the post in your initial thread calling conservatives "evil right-wingers" is fairly representative of why I don't really want to be here. Because someone even commented on it, and nothing was done. Were the situation reversed, it would have gotten lively.

That other thread seems to have covered politics more than faith, and the two don't go hand in hand necessarily. I don't know the first thing about the politics forums, but yeah, when I see that certain people are now blue As, I panic a little. Not because they're liberal but because they wear their conservative-Christian derision and hatred on their sleeves. Were it reversed, again, and were there to be any actively anti-liberal Christians in the upper echelons, the fall-out would be massive. As it has been in the past. That's when it becomes disparate.

I suppose it's things like that that set the tone. If people who you know loathe you because of your theological stance are the ones in charge, given they - ostensibly - represent the site (or else, why would they be in those positions?) it follows that the site in general holds to the same views.

It's odd, actually. 8 months away from this place puts it all into perspective, and the distance shows you how far from Christianity it all is. The problem is, there are people on both "sides" who intentionally engineer the badness. Blatant trollery and baiting are rife, and some of the most active trolls are now in leadership positions.

I fully expect your threads have already been linked at ~e~ and any conservative who has weighed in is being lambasted and having 7 shades kicked out of them, and that's also part of the problem, I think. Conservatives simply aren't as free to speak up. Of course we have the physical and technical ability to, but the idea of being discussed and laughted at over at ~e~ is horrid and painful. I really believe that ~e~ makes this a crueller site but it's the culture that's developed and I can't see there's any feasible way of dialing it back. Short of us all - all - getting on our knees and asking God how to better represent Him here, anyway. Somehow at CF whether you subscribe to the Liberal or Conservative label has become the litmus test as to whether you're a Real Christian TM or not, as if that's more important than your conduct; as if it's more important than how loving you are. There are people on both sides who are absolutely vicious; there are also people on both who are absolutely beautiful, and are so willing to extend Christ's love to anyone and everyone - regardless of their label. The thing is, though, of the 4 or 5 actively mean people I can think of on both sides, only liberal ones are in leadership. Rightly or wrongly, that really says a lot.

If there's balance in the leadership, and if there's balance within the mod ranks, the rest will sort itself out. At the moment, there doesn't seem to be a balance. I don't think anything I'm saying is at all helpful, and am sorry for that. It really is that the inner workings of CF just seem so ugly and unnecessary now. When you're embroiled in it and exposed to it day in day out, it becomes so very important. I remember losing sleep over all of it. But the problem with CF is it doesn't put God first. And it really doesn't. Liberals and conservatives differ in a trillion ways, but acknowledging how indescribably blessed we are to have been given salvation is what we have in common, and that's huge. Biggest thing there is. And yet, despite that, for years now, we've been battling over these inane labels - labels which, incidentally, probably mean different things to every single one of us. Crazy.

I'm rambling dreadfully. Am sorry. Just thinking aloud, I guess. Conservative Christianity isn't wecome in the world nowadays and it just feels like CF mirrors the world. Like, I really don't like being called an evil right-winger and that it'd be oxymoronic to call someone compassionate and conservative. It's hurtful, and it's untrue. And the "God Debate" is so pervasive now, we can hear that anywhere, but we shouldn't have to see cruelties like that here. I still believe CF should be a haven for Christians. All of us, I mean. Conservatives shouldn't receive preferential treatment, but neither should anyone else, and at the moment, it seems like they do.

Anyway. Have talked a lot without actually saying anything so I'll stop wittering on now. I guess ultimately, the responsibility is with all of us individually to glorify Jesus. If we were doing that, none of this would even be an issue. But, tis easily said; much much harder to actually do.

Sorry again for talking so much

Exceptional post. Nice to see you green